Prague, a City in Fairy Tale

Prague is the city with red roofs. The most famous sight-seeings in Prague are the Old Town Square, Charlies Bridge in the city center and the Prague Castle cross the river on the hill.

Clock Tower

Týn Church, Old Town Square

Jan Hus Memorial, Old Town Square

Old Town Square is in the center the of city, where it has the well-known Prague astronomical clock which is the third oldest astronomical clock in the world and the Týn Church. In the center of the squared placed a statue of religious reformer Jan Hus.

Charlies Bridge

Here is the most famous Charlies Bridge, which is the important connection between the Prague Castle and the old town. Among the statues listing on two sides of the bridge, St John of Nepomuk is the most famous one. If you touch the plague at the bottom of the statue your wish will become true or you will return to Prague one day or the secret you have will never be told.

John of Nepomuk

John of Nepomuk

View from Prague Castle

Here I add a nice song of Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat - "Lucky", which part of the video was shot in Prague.

Siena, a Mediavel City Famous for Horse-Race

Piazza del Campo

Palazzo Pubblico (town hall)

Piazza del Campo

Like other Tuscan cities, Siena is built on little hill with a high tower and a well-preserved medieval look. The famous Siena horse-race is held twice a year in the city center, right here in this amazing shell-shaped square, which is called "Piazza del Campo", where the Palazzo Pubblico (town hall) stands.

Siena Cathedral

Not far from the center square situates the famous Siena Cathedral. The Cathedral is in ivory white with beautiful exquisite relief sculptures and golden paintings. Who could ever believed that the facade of this cathedral was completed in 14th century and it is well preserved till now?!

For sure, it is a pleasure to take a walk in this city. Sometimes you could hear the scooters running nearby, then you realise that it is a city on the hill.

Roma, City of Fountains

Rome is also known as a city of fountains. There are about 2000 fountains in Rome. The most famous and biggest one is Fontana di Trevi. Nowadays fountains are the nice decoration for the city, however, in the old days public fountains were served as important sources of water and monuments to the papal patrons.

Fontana del Tritone

In the Piazza Barberini, Rome, there is the famous Triton Fountain, which is designed by Baroque sculptor Bernini under the mission of Pope Urban XIII. The fountain is the illustration of the triumphant passage from Ovid's Metamorphoses book.

"Already Triton, at his call, appears

Above the waves; a Tyrian robe he wears;

And in his hand a crooked trumpet bears.

The sovereign bids him peaceful sounds inspire,

And give the waves the signal to retire.

His writhen shell he takes; whose narrow vent

Grows by degrees into a large extent,

Then gives it breath; the blast with doubling sound,

Runs the wide circuit of the world around:

The sun first heard it, in his early east,

And met the rattling ecchos in the west.

The waters, list'ning to the trumpet's roar,

Obey the summons, and forsake the shore." (wikipedia)

Fontana di Trevi

Trevi Fountain, constructed in 18th century, is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. Oceanus, the personification of a immense river that flows around the earth and from which all strams of water derive, is standing in the middle. Tritons guide Oceanus' shell chariot, taming hippocamps.

Fontana dei Tritoni

The fountain of Tritons is located in the Piazza Bocca della Verità in front of the basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. There are two Tritons kneeing down on rocks and holding up a star-shaped basin with a mountain inside it.

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune)

 Fontana del Moro (Moor Fountain)

There are three fountains of Piazza Navona. In the middle is the Fountain of Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi). With rocks as its base, there are Four River Gods standing towards four directions with an Egypt obelisk in the middle. In the north part of Piazza Navona is the Fountain of Neptune, while the Moor Fountain is on the southern part.

Here is only a small part of 2000, let's discover others later on.

Florence, Capital of Tuscany

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is the city famous for arts and architecture. It is the city famous for "David". Passing through the old streets and buildings, praying in front of the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, it seems that the time was turning back to the old flourishing trading Florence.

Here I list some places you couldn't miss out:

- Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore

- Uffizi Gallery

- Ponte Vecchio

- Palazzo Pitti

- Palazzo Vecchio

- Accademia Gallery

- Piazzalz Michelangelo

Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore

Little Tuscan Town - Pienza

Pienza is a nice little town in the region Toscana, which is famous for its landscape. Standing on the old wall of the city, all you could see is the beautiful land and fields.

Piazza Pio II

Within minutes of walk, you are in the center square, called Piazza Pio II. The square was one of the examples of urban planning, built by the architect Bernardino Rossellino at the request of Pope Pius II. Around it are the town hall, cathedral, Piccolomini palace,etc.

There is a nice sculpture in front of the town hall. I bet people here they love horses. The tradition of horse-racing has been held every year in Siena, which is the capital city of the province.

It was pleasant to walk in this little town. Forgot to mention, later on, I found two nice roads. One is called "VIA DEL BACIO"(Road of KISS), the other is called "VIA DELL'AMORE"(Road of LOVE). How romantic! And both of them are leading to the magnificent view of Toscana.

Cutest Macchina

She is a "girl", in pink always, see her long lash? Oops, not finish making-up yet. Look how lovely it is!

This is a cute van, which belongs to the a pet shop in the trendy area - Bercy Village, Paris. I'd like to make a trip to the sea with my closest friends in it.

He is a boy, always in mint green, look how handsome he is!
This a vintage Verspa, typical scooter in Rome. Who doesn't want to make a tour in Rome on it, like in the movie "Roman Holiday"? It was placed in from of an Ice cream shop not far from Republica, Rome. It is really catching eyes, isn't it?!

Meet St Peter's Basilica from every part of Rome

It is nice to see St Peter's Basilica from every part of Rome, even it is not located on the highest point inside Rome.  However, it is really standing out from other buildings with its nice pale blue-grey roof.

 

Guirinale, where located the Italian government, is the country's political center. I think the power of governance is related with the height of the land. As the position is higher than other districts nearby, from the Piazza del Quirinale and from the windows of museum Scuderie del Quirinale St Peter's could be seen as well.

Here is the view of the whole Vatican City from the top of the Castel Sant'Angelo. St Peter's Basilica is just standing straight ahead.

The best view of St Peter's is from the bridge "Ponte Umberto I" in front of the Palace of Justice. Standing on the bridge you could find that St Peter's and the bridge Ponte Sant' Angelo are correspondent with each other with the river floating under. This is a popular scene which could often be found in the postcards.

Situated on a little hill, Gianicolo, is a good place to see the Rome. St Peter's could be clearly seen as well from its back yard.

Here is a perfect view from the Giardino degli Aranci, on the hill of Aventino behind the Church of Santa Sabina. Through out the trees of orange, other big pine trees cover the sky, a splendid astonished open-view presents in front of your eyes. It is like a game of "Cache-cache", they always keep the best for the last, like a big surprise.

Must-Visit Places in Roma

Rome, one of the oldest city in the world, with rich historical sites, monuments and museums, is one of the most popular places of tourists all over the world. Thanks for Romans good work of preservation, all those ancient monuments and ruins are well presented to visitors. It seems we could find the Roman Empire passing through all those years integrates into the modern time.

Colosseo

Colosseo, as a symbol of Rome, symbol of Roman Empire, where in old times gladiators presented their glorious fights with lions and tigers to entertain roman emperors. These days it is reserved for visitors only. Metro B, Stop Colosseo, will take you directly in front of it.

Roman Forum

Not far from the Colosseo is the Roman Forum which is the ruins of the ancient government buildings of Roman Empire.

Altare della Patria(Il Vittoriano), Piazza Venezia

It is a military monument built in honour of first King Victor Emmanuel of a unified Italy.

Campidoglio, Capitoline Hill

Campidoglio, located on the Capitoline Hill, is one of the most beautiful squares in Roma, designed by Michelangelo in 16th century. Nowadays, city government works there.
 

Fontana di Trevi

Fontana di Trevi, the most famous and beautiful fountain in Rome. With its beauty and beautiful legend, it gathers visitors all year around. Hope the legend is true that if you throw a coin from back over your shoulder into the fountain, you will return to Rome one day.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is another beautiful square in Rome. It was built on the old stadium in 1st century AD. The biggest fountain in the middle is called Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. Other two additional fountains are standing on at sides. The one at the southern end is the Fontana del Moro, the other one at the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune. Some markets are held here during the festivals.

Pantheon

Pantheon, with its typical Greek look, is one of the best-preserved Roman buildings. Built around two thousand years ago, it is the world largest concrete dome. 

Trastevere

Trastevere is the district simpa, with nice restaurants and bars. It is really a nice place to spend a lazy afternoon or evening with friends there.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo is a round shaped castle, which could often be found in the movies. It was the fortress, the prison, palace of Pope, now it is the museum.

La Bocca della Verità (the Mouth of Truth)

If you want to find la Bocca della Verità (the Mouth of Truth), here it is. There is always a long queue in front of.

Vatican City

Vatican city, the country inside Rome. It is also a big museum of religion and arts.

Spagna Steps

Another famous square in Rome is the Piazza di Spagna. Up the square those steps lead to the little hill is the famous Spanish Steps. As the embassy of Spain locates in this square, "Spagna" is given to this place. May is the best season to visit here, as they decorate this place with little red roses of Rome. This place is also known for the movie "Roman Holiday".

For sure, there are also many museums to visit in Roma. However the city itself is already a big museum. If there's any places I missed out here, welcome to list them up!